Devotions for improved connection to God

Main menu

Post navigation

A Trained Telescope

Connecting Points

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Today’s Topic: Priorities

Today’s Text:Ephesians 5:25 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

I’m taking a risk this morning as I write this. I’m not sure how many men actually read these devotionals, and yet today’s is directed at them. But ladies, there’s something in here for you too. After all, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and giving love goes both ways.

I came across this story as I was reading this morning. In 1997 Warner Brothers released a movie entitled Addicted to Love. While it’s not a family film, and I’m not advocating “R” rated movies, there’s a scene in this movie that illustrates the priority of love.

The movie tells the story of a small-town astronomer by the name of Sam (Matthew Broderick) whose love for his girlfriend Linda (Kelly Preston) is deeply tested. Sam’s romantic love for Linda is illustrated early in the movie as we find him at work at the observatory.

He has his telescoped trained on a star that is in the process of turning into a super nova. The amazing discovery is an obvious source of excitement for a visiting scientist. As the clock approaches high noon, one of Sam’s colleagues calls his attention to the time. Without explanation Sam turns the telescope away from the heavens and aims it at a school playground. The visiting scientist can’t believe that the clock or anything else on earth could be so important as to suspend the once-in-a-lifetime look at a super nova being born. Carl, one of Sam’s associates, tries to explain.

“Professor, there’s this other phenomenon that Sam gives his priority to every morning,” Carl says.

The guest scientist asks, “What could be more important?”

Sam, without skipping a beat, aims the telescope at a school playground several miles away. Through the telescope he sees Linda. In the midst of her responsibilities as a schoolteacher, she glances at her watch and then proceeds to look in the direction of the observatory. In what has become a practiced ritual, Linda smiles and waves.

Men, there’s nothing – I MEAN NOTHING – more important every day than to make sure your wife knows that she is the priority of your life. When you turn the telescope of your heart from its consistent focus on the heart of God it should not seek to gaze upon anything in life before it captures a view of your wife. Do not begin the tasks of the day until you have taken her in your arms. Do not look at your career until she knows you care for her success more than your own. Never put wealth ahead of her well-being. Surrender your will to her wishes.

Maybe the telescope of your life needs to be re-trained so it is primarily trained on your wife. She is God’s gift to you, and no matter what your pride wants you to believe, you don’t deserve her. Make sure she knows it!